Moving walk

Abstract

A moving walk for effecting transport in a longitudinal direction includes a series of belt modules with modules at a center portion running at a higher rate than modules at exit ends. Among the belt modules are at least first and second belt modules, each having a first end and a second end, a endless belt extending from the first end to the second end, and a drive circulating the endless belt. The first and second belt modules are disposed adjacent one another in the longitudinal direction with the second end of the first belt module opposing the first end of the second belt module. The second end of the first belt module is disposed higher that the first end of the second belt module when a passenger is transported from the first belt module to the second belt module to facilitate transition from module to module.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A moving walk for effecting transport of a person in a longitudinal direction along a structure, comprising: 
       first and second belt modules, each including:  
       a first end and a second end;  
       a endless belt extending from said first end to said second end; and  
       a drive circulating said endless belt;  
       a floor plate disposed in a surface of said structure adjacent at least one of said first end of said first belt module and said second of said second belt module for permiting the person to step from said floor plate onto said at least one of said first end of said first belt module and said second of said second belt module;  
       said first and second belt modules being serially disposed adjacent one another in the longitudinal direction with said second end of said first belt module opposing said first end of said second belt module;  
       one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module being disposed higher than another one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module;  
       said drives of said first and second belt modules operating to effect transport from said one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module to said another one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module;  
       moving handrails disposed adjacent sides of said first and second belt modules, extending in the longitudinal direction and driven in conjunction with said first and second belt modules, for accepting a hand of the person being transported on said first and second belt modules; and  
       means for moving at least one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module in a vertical direction to a position which is one of above and below another one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module.  
     
     
       2. The moving walk according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for moving include at least one of said first and second belt modules having a support shaft extending transverse to said longitudinal direction and rotatably supporting said at least one of said first and second belt modules substantially at a center portion to permit pivoting motion whereby said one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module is movable in the vertical direction and selectively disposable to said position which is one of above and below said another one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module. 
     
     
       3. A moving walk as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one of said first and second belt modules includes: 
       a guide member on a bottom surface proximate one of said first and second ends; and  
       a movable support body having a projecting portion for selectively engaging said guide member to effect said pivoting of said at least one of said first and second belt modules.  
     
     
       4. The moving walk according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       said first and second belt modules each having first and second rollers respectively disposed at said first and second ends over which said endless belt circulates; and  
       said means for moving being an actuating means for moving one of said second roller of said first belt module and said first roller of said second belt module in a vertical direction to be selectively disposable said position which is one of above and below another one of said second roller of said first belt module and said first roller of said second belt module such that said one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module is selectively disposable one of higher and lower than said another one of said second end of said first belt module and said first end of said second belt module.  
     
     
       5. A moving walk according to  claim 4 , wherein said actuating means includes said one of said second roller of said first belt module and said first roller of said second belt module being mounted on a shaft supported eccentrically about an axis of rotation such that said shaft is movable in said vertical direction. 
     
     
       6. The moving walk according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second belt modules each have first and second rollers respectively disposed at said first and second ends over which said endless belt circulates. 
     
     
       7. A moving walk as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said at least one of said first and second belt modules includes: 
       a guide member on a bottom surface proximate one of said first and second ends; and  
       a movable support body having a projecting portion for selectively engaging said guide member to effect said pivoting of said at least one of said first and second belt modules.  
     
     
       8. The moving walk as recited in  claim 3  or  7 , wherein said guide member has is a fixed slide surface. 
     
     
       9. The moving walk as recited in  claim 3  or  7 , wherein said guide member is a roller. 
     
     
       10. The moving walk as recited in  claim 3  or  7 , wherein: 
       said support body has an inclined surface for engaging said guide member; and  
       an electric solenoid drives the support body in the longitudinal direction to effect engagement of said inclined surface with said guide member.  
     
     
       11. The moving walk as recited in  claim 3  or  7 , wherein said support body includes separate support portion separately disposed at said first and second ends and driven by a rack and pinion mechanism. 
     
     
       12. The moving walk as recited in  claim 1  or  4 , wherein a length of each of said first and second belt modules is at least 800 mm. 
     
     
       13. The moving walk as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the length of each of said first and second belt modules is the same. 
     
     
       14. The moving walk as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a transfer time for a body to be transferred in each of said first and second belt modules is the same.